The Chemainus Theatre Festival has been performing live theatre on Vancouver Island for 28 seasons. It has grown stronger through each challenge it has faced – enduring epic snowstorms, windstorms, and economic downturns.  

The Chemainus Theatre Festival has been working hard to assess the best possible plan to move forward in the 2020 Season and beyond.  We have been following the mandates of government officials, public health authorities, and medical professionals to address the health, safety, and well-being of our patrons, staff, volunteers, and artists. With social distancing measures in place and the uncertainty of when the ban on larger public gatherings will be lifted, it is more evident than ever that we must remain closed for the unforeseen future. Because of this, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of our 2020 season.    

We are so thankful to have a loyal and courageous community who care for the Chemainus Theatre Festival. This is one of the most challenging and heartbreaking decisions we have ever had to make.  We acknowledge the impact it will have on our Chemainus Theatre community. We feel the loss of the 2020 Season and all that it touches.  We are a theatre of celebration and hope.  While we hope for the best, we recognize that planning for the long-term life of the theatre society requires other measures.   

COVID-19 has closed live professional theatres and mass gatherings across Canada. While government officials and public health authorities have begun to publicly discuss plans to lessen restrictions, unfortunately, the theatre industry’s great intermission, as recently described in the Globe and Mail, seems to have only just begun. 

These are unsettling times. The Chemainus Theatre Crisis Relief Fund has been established to help us withstand this difficult time and return in 2021 when it is safe to do so.  Today more than ever, we will rely on charitable support.  If you are able to help, any donation will be an integral part of helping us build towards our next season. 

If you have purchased a 2020 Season Ticket Subscription you can choose from a range of options including 2021 credits, donation opportunities and refunds.

If you have purchased tickets to any of our 2020 Shows you can choose from a range of options including 2021 credits, donation opportunities and refunds.

Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding and for being a part of the Chemainus Theatre Experience.  Be well and stay safe.  We look forward to seeing you next season when we can all share our creative energy, artistry, determination, and heart.

The Chemainus Theatre Festival has been working hard to assess the best possible plan moving forward in the 2020 Season and beyond.  We have been following the advice of government officials, public health authorities, and medical professionals to address the health, safety, and well-being of our patrons, staff, volunteers and artists. With social distancing measures in place and the uncertainty of when the ban on larger public gatherings will be lifted, it is more evident than ever that we must remain closed for the unforeseen future.

The Chemainus Theatre offices are closed until further notice. Box Office staff are working remotely and can be reached via email. We are unable to accept incoming phone calls at this time.

If you have purchased tickets, we ask that you please submit the Ticket & Subscription Options form on our website.

For other inquiries, please email boxoffice@chemainustheatre.ca. Email volume is currently high, so we thank you for your patience as we respond to your inquiries.

The Chemainus Theatre has suspended the remainder of its 2020 Season. The theatre will reopen when health officials declare that it is safe to do so.

The following shows have been cancelled for the 2020 season:

• THE 39 STEPS
• BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
• GLORY
• JOYFUL NOISE
• ELF: THE MUSICAL
• HOUSE ON POOH CORNER

At this time we are unable to confirm whether or not these shows will come back next season. Our team will be diligently working on the 2021 Season during this closure and look forward to sharing an update when possible.

If you have purchased tickets this this season, you can choose from a range of options including 2021 credits, donation opportunities and refund. We ask that patrons please fill out and submit the Ticket & Subscription Options form, indicating your preference.

We will be working as quickly as we can to process ticket forms. The initial volume will be very high and we appreciate your patience and understanding. It is our goal to process all requests by June 5.

If you booked hotel accommodations through the Chemainus Theatre as part of a Getaway Package, your hotel reservation will automatically be cancelled by us. You do not need to contact the hotel separately.

A Chemainus Theatre account credit offers ticketholders the most flexibility. It is a secure and efficient way to deal with tickets to cancelled performances.

• Credits live in each patron’s Chemainus Theatre account. It is yours to use however you want, whenever you want.
• If you are unable to attend the new show dates, you can use your credit towards any future show booking, including theatre tickets, dining, hotel and subscription packages.
• You can convert your credit into a Gift Certificate at any time.
• Credits can be used in one transaction or spread across multiple transactions.
• Credits do not expire.

Once regular operations resume, you can call the Box Office at 1-800-565-7738 or book online. You can access your credit from your shopping cart.

As a not-for-profit organization, the Chemainus Theatre Festival relies on the generous support of our patrons and sponsors.  The Chemainus Theatre Crisis Relief Fund has been established to help us withstand this difficult time and emerge strong when it is safe to do so.  Today more than ever, we will rely on the charitable support of our community to help bring the quality entertainment you’ve come to expect.  If you are able to help, any donation will be an integral part of helping us build towards our next season.  Click to donate here.

Coupons from the 2020 coupon books are valid for the 2020 calendar year, in accordance with each coupon book publisher. The amount credited to you is the total amount paid in the original transaction.